Date: 10 Sep 2021
Welcome to our latest blog in which we will discuss pet theft.
Right now, under English law, if your puppy gets stolen, it’s treated in the same way as having your phone stolen. That’s because the theft of a dog is currently treated as a loss of an owner’s property. But after a rise in dog thefts, a new law is now coming in which makes pet abduction a criminal offence in England.
Ministers hope the law will acknowledge the emotional distress which can be caused, after around 2,000 dogs were reported stolen last year. Seven in 10 pet thefts recorded by police involved dogs, according to a report by the pet theft taskforce.
In a recent BBC News article it was mentioned that these following steps could help prevent the theft of your loved one:
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- Identification and microchipping – It’s a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped. It means if your dog were to go missing, the microchip contains your details so that it can be traced back to you.
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- Social media – When you get a cute new dog, the most tempting thing to do can be posting it all over your Instagram and Snapchat stories. But when it’s alongside information that shows where you live, work, or spend a lot of time, this can make you a prime target for dog thieves.
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- Be careful in public – Having a dog is a sociable thing, often on dog walks people will stop and ask you about your pet. But according to Blue Cross for Dogs, you should look out for anyone asking too many questions.
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- Keep it in safe hands – Things are starting to return to normal and this means less time to spend with pets . You might be looking to arrange a dog walker, if so there are some important things to note such as correct paperwork and insurance.
To read the article in full please see the BBC News article here.
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